Gaming system and a method of gaming

ABSTRACT

A gaming method, game controller, a gaming system, computer program code, and a computer readable medium are provided wherein a plurality of symbols are provided for game play. Locations where particular symbols occur determine a game outcome. One of the symbols is allocated as a trigger symbol for a subsequent game. If the trigger symbol occurs at a particular location during game play an award is made in the subsequent game if there is a game outcome that includes the particular location where there has been the occurrence of the trigger symbol.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims the benefit of priority to AustralianProvisional Patent Application No. 2007905576, filed on Oct. 11, 2007,entitled “A GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING”, which is hereinincorporated by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present invention relates to a gaming system, a method of gaming, agame controller and computer program code.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a game controllerarranged to conduct a game that includes a base game and a feature gamewhich is triggered from the base game, for example if a symbolcombination occurs.

While such gaming systems provide users with enjoyment, a need existsfor alternative gaming systems in order to maintain or increase playerenjoyment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a first aspect, the invention provides a method of gaming including:

-   -   providing a plurality of symbols for game play,    -   providing locations from which game outcomes can be determined        by symbols occurring at locations,    -   allocating at least one symbol as a trigger symbol, and    -   on the occurrence of the trigger symbol in an initial game        making an award in a subsequent game if there is a game outcome        in the subsequent game that includes a particular location where        there has been the occurrence of the trigger symbol.

In an embodiment, the method also involves the concurrent occurrence ofa further trigger symbol at one or more further locations, and whereinan award is made in the subsequent game if there is a game outcome thatincludes any one of the particular locations where there has been theoccurrence of a trigger symbol.

In an embodiment, the method includes the number of locations for theoccurrence of a trigger symbol to trigger the feature game is determinedby one of:

-   -   i. by rules of game play,    -   ii. variable according to bets placed,    -   iii. variable due to a game outcome.

In an embodiment, the method includes that the award can be based on oneof:

-   -   i. a change to an advertised award value,    -   ii. an additional award prize,    -   iii. a feature game.

In an embodiment, the method includes that on the occurrence of atrigger symbol at a particular location, highlighting that particularlocation for the subsequent game.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a game controller for agaming system, the game controller arranged to:

-   -   provide locations for game play from which game outcomes can be        determined by symbols occurring at locations,    -   provide symbols for game play,    -   allocate at least one symbol as a trigger symbol for a        subsequent game, and on the occurrence of the at least one        trigger symbol during initial game play, to make an award in a        subsequent game if there is a game outcome that includes the        particular location where there has been the occurrence of the        trigger symbol in the initial game play.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to involve theconcurrent occurrence of the trigger symbol at one or more furtherlocations in the initial game before an award is made in the subsequentgame if there is a game outcome that includes any one of the particularlocations where there has been the occurrence of the trigger symbol.

In an embodiment, the game controller is arranged to determine alocation for the occurrence of a trigger symbol by one of:

-   -   i. outcome of game play,    -   ii. randomly,    -   iii. by player selection,    -   iv. by rules of game play,    -   v. variable according to bets placed.

In an embodiment the game controller is arranged to determine the numberof the locations to for occurrence of a trigger symbol by one of:

-   -   i. by rules of game play,    -   ii. variable according to bets placed,    -   iii. variable due to a game outcome.

In a third aspect, the invention provides a gaming system including aplayer interface including a display for displaying game outcomes to aplayer, and a game controller arranged as set out as above.

In a fourth aspect, the invention provides computer program code whichwhen executed by a processor in a computer implements the above method.

In a fifth aspect the invention provides a computer readable mediumincluding the program code.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the invention will now be described in relationto the following drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the core components of a gaming system;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a gaming machine;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the functional components of a gamingmachine;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram representing the structure of a memory;

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematic of a networked gaming system;

FIG. 6 is a further block diagram of the gaming system; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an embodiment.

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments of the present invention, will be better understoodwhen read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, certain embodiments are shown in thedrawings. It should be understood, however, that the present inventionis not limited to the arrangements and instrumentality shown in theattached drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment provides a gaming system where a player plays, at leastone game, and preferably a sequence of games.

A plurality of symbols are provided for game play and a plurality oflocations are provided from which game outcomes can be determined bysymbols occurring at locations. One of the symbols is allocated as atrigger symbol and during play of an initial game, on the occurrence ofthe trigger symbol there is triggering of the playing of a feature game.When a game outcome occurs in the feature game, an award is made if asymbol in the outcome occurs at that particular location.

The gaming system may be provided in a number of different forms.

In a first form, a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all ormost components for implementing the game are present in a playeroperable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some ofthe components for implementing the game are present in a playeroperable gaming machine and some of the components for implementing thegame are located remotely relative to the gaming machine. For example, a“thick client” architecture may be used wherein part of the game isexecuted on a player operable gaming machine and part of the game isexecuted remotely, such as by a gaming server; or a “thin client”architecture may be used wherein most of the game is executed remotelysuch as by a gaming server and a player operable gaming machine is usedonly to display audible and/or visible gaming information to the playerand receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged.For example, an architecture may be provided wherein a gaming machine isnetworked to a gaming server and the respective functions of the gamingmachine and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example,the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thickclient” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the game being played,operating conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent topersons skilled in the art.

Irrespective of the form, the gaming system includes several corecomponents. At the broadest level, the core components are a playerinterface 50 and a game controller 60 as illustrated in FIG. 1. Theplayer interface is arranged to enable manual interaction between aplayer and the gaming system and for this purpose includes theinput/output components for the player to enter instructions and playthe game.

Components of the player interface may vary from embodiment toembodiment but will typically include a credit mechanism 52 to enable aplayer to input credits and receive payouts, one or more displays 54 anda game play mechanism 56 that enables a player to input game playinstructions.

The game controller 60 is in data communication with the playerinterface and typically includes a processor 62 that processes the gameplay instructions in accordance with game play rules and outputs gameplay outcomes to the display. Typically, the game play instructions arestored as program code in a memory 64 but can also be hardwired. Hereinthe term “processor” is used to refer generically to any device that canprocess game play instructions in accordance with game play rules andmay include: a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logicdevice or other computational device, a general purpose computer (e.g. aPC) or a server.

A gaming system in the form of a stand alone gaming machine 10 isillustrated in FIG. 2. The gaming machine 10 includes a console 12having a display 14 on which is displayed representations of a game 16that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 20 of the gaming machine 10houses a bank of buttons 22 for enabling a player to interact with thegaming machine, in particular during game play. The mid-trim 20 alsohouses a credit input mechanism 24 which in this example includes a coininput chute 24A and a bill collector 24B. Other credit input mechanismsmay also be employed, for example, a card reader for reading a smartcard, debit card or credit card. A player marketing module may beprovided having a reading device may also be provided for the purpose ofreading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyaltyprogram. The player tracking device may be in the form of a card, flashdrive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by thereading device.

A top box 26 may carry artwork 28, including for example pay tables anddetails of bonus awards and other information or images relating to thegame. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a frontpanel 29 of the console 12. A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the frontpanel 29 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 10.

The display 14 shown in FIG. 2 is in the form of a video display unit,particularly a cathode ray tube screen device. Alternatively, thedisplay 14 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any othersuitable video display unit, or the visible portion of anelectromechanical device. The top box 26 may also include a display, forexample a video display unit, which may be of the same type as thedisplay 14, or of a different type.

FIG. 3 shows a block diagram of operative components of a typical gamingmachine which may be the same as or different to the gaming machine ofFIG. 2.

The gaming machine 100 includes a game controller 101 having a processor102. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 arestored in a memory 103, which is in data communication with theprocessor 102. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include bothvolatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type ofmemory, with such memories being collectively represented by the memory103.

The gaming machine has hardware meters 104 for purposes includingensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, aninput/output (I/O) interface 105 for communicating with peripheraldevices of the gaming machine 100. The input/output interface 105 and/orthe peripheral devices may be intelligent devices with their own memoryfor storing associated instructions and data for use with theinput/output interface or the peripheral devices. A random numbergenerator module 113 generates random numbers for use by the processor102. Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the reference torandom numbers includes pseudo-random numbers.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a player interface 120 includesperipheral devices that communicate with the game controller 101 includeone or more displays 106, a touch screen 107, a card and/or ticketreader 108, a printer 109, a bill acceptor and/or coin input mechanism110 and a coin output mechanism 111. Additional hardware may be includedas part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted based onthe specific implementation.

In addition, the gaming machine 100 may include a communicationsinterface, for example a network card 112. The network card may, forexample, send status information, accounting information or otherinformation to a central controller, server or database and receive dataor commands from the central controller, server or database.

FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of the main components of an exemplarymemory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a massstorage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds programfiles for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The EPROM103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or gamerelated code. The mass storage device 103C is typically used to storegame programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/orauthenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM103B or elsewhere.

It is also possible for the operative components of the gaming machine100 to be distributed, for example input/output devices106,107,108,109,110,111 to be provided remotely from the game controller101.

FIG. 5 shows a gaming system 200 in accordance with an alternativeembodiment. The gaming system 200 includes a network 201, which forexample may be an Ethernet network. Gaming machines 202, shown arrangedin three banks 203 of two gaming machines 202 in FIG. 5, are connectedto the network 201. The gaming machines 202 provide a player operableinterface and may be the same as the gaming machines 10,100 shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, or may have simplified functionality depending on therequirements for implementing game play. While banks 203 of two gamingmachines are illustrated in FIG. 5, banks of one, three or more gamingmachines are also envisaged.

One or more displays 204 may also be connected to the network 201. Thedisplays 204 may, for example, be associated with one or more banks 203of gaming machines. The displays 204 may be used to displayrepresentations associated with game play on the gaming machines 202,and/or used to display other representations, for example promotional orinformational material.

In a thick client embodiment, game server 205 implements part of thegame played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 implements part of the game. With this embodiment, as boththe game server and the gaming device implement part of the game, theycollectively provide a game controller. A database management server 206may manage storage of game programs and associated data for downloadingor access by the gaming devices 202 in a database 206A. Typically, ifthe gaming system enables players to participate in a Jackpot game, aJackpot server 207 will be provided to carry out the accounting inrespect of the Jackpot game. A loyalty program server 212 may also beprovided.

In a thin client embodiment, game server 205 implements most or all ofthe game played by a player using a gaming machine 202 and the gamingmachine 202 essentially provides only the player interface. With thisembodiment, the game server 205 provides the game controller. The gamingmachine will receive player instructions, pass these to the game serverwhich will process them and return game play outcomes to the gamingmachine for display. In a thin client embodiment, the gaming machinescould be computer terminals, e.g. PCs running software that provides aplayer interface operable using standard computer input and outputcomponents.

Servers are also typically provided to assist in the administration ofthe gaming network 200, including for example a gaming floor managementserver 208, and a licensing server 209 to monitor the use of licensesrelating to particular games. An administrator terminal 210 is providedto allow an administrator to run the network 201 and the devicesconnected to the network.

The gaming network 200 may communicate with other gaming systems, otherlocal networks, for example a corporate network, and/or a wide areanetwork such as the Internet, for example through a firewall 211.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that in accordance with knowntechniques, functionality at the server side of the network may bedistributed over a plurality of different computers. For example,elements may be run as a single “engine” on one server or a separateserver may be provided. For example, the game server 205 could run arandom generator engine. Alternatively, a separate random numbergenerator server could be provided. Further, persons skilled in the artwill appreciate that a plurality of games servers could be provided torun different games or a single game server may run a plurality ofdifferent games based on the terminals.

The embodiment may be implemented in relation to a game with multiplecolumns such as a spinning reel type game. Gaming systems forimplementing games that involve a display of spinning reels as part ofthe display of the outcome of a game have either a video display or amechanical display, these later machines most usually being “stepper”machines which have a separate motor for each reel. However, personsskilled in the art will appreciate that the invention can be implementedin respect if other forms of games, including: card games; ball drawgames (e.g. bingo or keno); dice games; and pin and ball games.

In some implementations the game controllers of such gaming machinesselect symbols by employing a stop determining function that randomlydetermines the stop position for each reel. For example, if there arefive reels, each having twenty symbols, the stop determining functionmight determine that the stop positions are positions: 3, 13, 7, 9 and17. The spinning of the reels is then controlled so that each symbolcomes to a stop in the same row, typically a predetermined row in a“window” visible to the player on the display that which corresponds toa player playing a single win line. When a reel stops, the symbols willbe in one of a plurality of possible symbol positions for that reelrelative to the stop position.

Spinning reel type games typically allow a player to select how many winlines of a plurality of win lines they will play in each game—i.e. aminimum of one win line up to the maximum number of win lines allowed bythe game. Persons, skilled in the art, will appreciate that in otherembodiments, the player may select a number of reels to play. Each winline is formed by a set of symbol positions consisting of one symbolposition from each reel. That is, a predetermined symbol position ofeach reel is assigned to a win line. The symbol positions thatconstitute each of the win lines are usually advertised to the player bymarkings on the display or diagrams showing the symbol positions thatcorrespond to each win line. Some of the win lines will be horizontal ordiagonal lines but others may be non-linear combinations of symbols.Typically, the win lines will be constituted by symbol positions in thevisible window. A game outcome is determined based on the symbols on thewin lines and a prize table that specifies awards.

The game controller 60 of the embodiment is shown in more detail in FIG.6. It will apparent that the processor 62 implements a number ofmodules, namely random number generator module 621, symbol selectormodule 622, outcome determiner module 623, award determiner module 624,sequence monitoring module 625, entitlement module 627 and displaycontroller module 626 based on data stored in memory 64. Persons skilledin the art will appreciate that not all modules need be implemented byprocessor 62. For example, the random number generator module 621 couldbe implemented by a separate circuit or by a random number generatorserver.

In the embodiment, the entitlement module 627 determines when a playeris entitled to a feature game including a sequence of games andinitiates the feature. In other embodiments a player may be entitled toa single subsequent game. In this game, the subsequent game sequence isstarted by the symbol occurring in the base game, or a location where aparticular symbol occurs in the base game sets a position for asubsequent game, so that if there is a designated symbol combination ona game outcome in the subsequent game that includes the position wherethe particular symbol occurred in the base game then the award is made.In a particular example, the player is entitled a subsequent game (whichmay or may not be a feature game) when a designated symbol combinationoccurs in the base game. For example, a combination of three scattersymbols. In the sequence of subsequent or feature games the positionsoccupied by the symbols when the feature was triggered become particularlocations to which special prize awards attach.

When the entitlement is established, the entitlement module 627instructs the sequence monitor 625 to initiate a feature game having asequence of games based on a number of games specified in sequence data643. The sequence monitor 625 is arranged to keep track of the sequenceto ensure that all games of the sequence are carried out accordinglyafter each game in the sequence, and the sequence monitor 625 updatesthe sequence data 643 to indicate how many games remain in the sequence.

During each game of a sequence, the symbol selector 622 selects thesymbols to appear based on symbol data 641 which specifies the availablesymbols. The symbols are selected by the symbol selector using a randomnumber obtained from the random number generator 621. The outcomedeterminer module 623 determines the game outcomes. The award pay scaleadjuster 624 then adjusts an award for outcomes using pay scale data644. The adjustment is based on the number of win lines the player isplaying and the symbol combinations. Persons skilled in the art willalso appreciate that the game outcomes and their associated prizes aredisplayed on the display 54 or under control of the display controller626.

The method 700 of an example of an embodiment of the invention issummarised in FIG. 7. At step 710 it is determined game sequence shouldcommence. The game controller 60 then carries out a sequence of initialgames 720, provides locations 730 from which initial game outcomes canbe determined by symbols occurring at the locations, allocates at leastone symbol as a trigger symbol 740, determines if a trigger symbolappears 750 which will trigger a feature game 760, and determines if awinning outcome occurs in feature game at 770 if there is a feature gameoutcome that includes the particular location where there has been theoccurrence of the trigger symbol, and provides an award allocation inthe feature game at 780.

If an award winning combination then occurs with one of the symbolsoccurring at the particular location, then the award is increased.

One or more particular locations can be nominated in any of the usualways such as:

-   -   By outcomes on a machine    -   At random    -   By player selection    -   Specified by rules of the game    -   Variable due to bets placed

The number of particular locations can be determined by the usual wayssuch as:

-   -   Specified by the rules of the game    -   Variable due to bets placed    -   Variable due to outcomes

The award can be increased in the usual ways such as:

-   -   Multiply the advertised value    -   Pay an additional bonus prize    -   Award an additional feature game

A feature game is triggered by a certain symbol combination. The featuregame is played with feature wins interacting with the locations whichtriggered the feature game.

-   -   1. 3 or more “scatters” in an initial game triggers the feature        game    -   2. The particular locations of the “scatters” are “highlighted”.    -   3. Free Games begin to play.    -   4. After each free game an evaluation is made.    -   5. Any game win outcome that passes through one or more of the        “highlighted” locations is multiplied by 5.    -   6. If the “feature” is retriggered in the feature game then the        new scatter locations are also highlighted.    -   7. The original trigger locations remain highlighted.

TABLE 1 3 scatter symbols appear on the reels in an initial game. Thistriggers the feature game and in the next 3 free games any winningcombinations landing on those particular locations are multiplied by 5.scat A K Q J 10 9 scat A K Q J 10 9 scat

TABLE 2 The particular locations where the “scatter” symbol appear arenow highlighted

TABLE 3 the first free game shows

This pays 3*A on the top row which pays 5 times the normal prize becauseone of the A is on a highlighted particular location.

TABLE 4 the second free game shows

There is no prize winning combination, no prize is payable.

TABLE 5 the third free game shows

This pays 4*Q on the centre row which pays 5 times the normal prizebecause one of the Q is on a highlighted particular location.

Persons skilled in the art will appreciate that the above examplesprovide locations from which game outcomes can be determined by symbolsoccurring at locations. At least one symbol is allocated as a triggersymbol. On the occurrence of the at least one trigger symbol at alocation in an initial game there is triggering of a feature game. Anaward is then made in the feature game if there is a game outcome thatincludes the particular location where the trigger signal appeared inthe initial game. Should the trigger symbol occur at the particularlocation the feature game may not be triggered unless there is aconcurrent occurrence of the trigger symbol at one or more furtherlocations.

Whilst the above example has been described in relation to a five reelspinning game with three win lines, the spinning wheels may be replacedwith columns where the symbols selectively appear at particular columnsand wherein there is one or more win lines. Further, persons skilled inthe art will appreciate that when the feature game is played, theoccurrence of an outcome can occur not only in particular rows asindicated in the preferred example but across multiple rows according toknown game patterns.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred toherein, such reference does not constitute an admission that thepublication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, inAustralia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description, exceptwhere the context indicates otherwise due to express language ornecessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as“comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. tospecify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude thepresence or addition of further features in various embodiments of theinvention.

Several embodiments are described above with reference to the drawings.These drawings illustrate certain details of specific embodiments thatimplement the systems and methods and programs of the present invention.However, describing the invention with drawings should not be construedas imposing on the invention any limitations associated with featuresshown in the drawings. The present invention contemplates methods,systems and program products on any electronic device and/ormachine-readable media suitable for accomplishing its operations.Certain embodiments of the present invention may be implemented using anexisting computer processor and/or by a special purpose computerprocessor incorporated for this or another purpose or by a hardwiredsystem, for example.

Embodiments within the scope of the present invention include programproducts comprising machine-readable media for carrying or havingmachine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Suchmachine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessedby a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with aprocessor. By way of example, such machine-readable media may compriseRAM, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, Flash, CD-ROM or other optical diskstorage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or anyother medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code inthe form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and whichcan be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer orother machine with a processor. When information is transferred orprovided over a network or another communications connection (eitherhardwired, wireless, or a combination of hardwired or wireless) to amachine, the machine properly views the connection as a machine-readablemedium. Thus, any such a connection is properly termed amachine-readable medium. Combinations of the above are also includedwithin the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executableinstructions comprise, for example, instructions and data which cause ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.

Method steps associated with certain embodiments may be implemented inone embodiment by a program product including machine-executableinstructions, such as program code, for example in the form of programmodules executed by machines in networked environments. Generally,program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, datastructures, etc., that perform particular tasks or implement particularabstract data types. Machine-executable instructions, associated datastructures, and program modules represent examples of program code forexecuting steps of the methods disclosed herein. The particular sequenceof such executable instructions or associated data structures representsexamples of corresponding acts for implementing the functions describedin such steps.

1. A method of gaming comprising: providing a plurality of symbols forgame play, providing locations from which game outcomes can bedetermined by symbols occurring at locations, allocating at least onesymbol as a trigger symbol, and on the occurrence of the trigger symbolin an initial game making an award in a subsequent game if there is agame outcome in the subsequent game that includes a particular locationwhere there has been the occurrence of the trigger symbol.
 2. A methodas claimed in claim 1 also requiring the concurrent occurrence of afurther trigger symbol at one or more further locations, and wherein anaward is made in the subsequent game if there is a game outcome thatincludes any one of the particular locations where there has been theoccurrence of a trigger symbol.
 3. A method as claimed in claim 1,wherein a location for the occurrence of the trigger symbol isdetermined by one of: i. outcome of game play, ii. randomly, iii. byplayer selection, iv. by rules of game play v. variable according tobets placed.
 4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein: the number oflocations for the occurrence of a trigger symbol is determined by oneof: i. by rules of game play, ii. variable according to bets placed,iii. variable due to a game outcome.
 5. A method as claimed in any oneof claims 1 to 4, wherein the award can be based on one of: i. a changeto an advertised award value, ii. an additional award prize, iii. afeature game.
 6. A method as claimed in claim 1, comprising: on theoccurrence of the trigger symbol at a location, highlighting thatparticular location for the subsequent game.
 7. A method as claimed inclaim 6, comprising triggering a feature game if the trigger symboloccurs at the same particular location during play of a subsequent gameas the particular location in the initial game.
 8. A method as claimedin claim 1, comprising: configuring the initial game and subsequent gameto be multiple spinning reel type games.
 9. A method as claimed in claim8, comprising: configuring the multiple spinning reel type games to havemultiple win lines.
 10. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein thesubsequent game is a feature game triggered on the occurrence of thetrigger symbol in the initial game.
 11. A game controller for a gamingsystem, the game controller arranged to: provide locations for game playfrom which game outcomes can be determined by symbols occurring atlocations, provide symbols for game play, allocate at least one symbolas a trigger symbol for a subsequent game, and on the occurrence of theat least one trigger symbol during initial game play, to make an awardin a subsequent game if there is a game outcome that includes theparticular location where there has been the occurrence of the triggersymbol in the initial game play.
 12. A game controller as claimed inclaim 1 1, arranged so that on the concurrent occurrence of the triggersymbol at one or more further locations in the initial game making anaward in the subsequent game if there is a game outcome that includesany one of the particular locations where there has been the occurrenceof the trigger symbol in the initial game play.
 13. A game controller asclaimed in claim 11, arranged to determine a location for the occurrenceof a trigger symbol by one of: i. outcome of game play, ii. randomly,iii. by player selection, iv. by rules of game play, v. variableaccording to bets placed.
 14. A game controller as claimed in claim 1 1,arranged to determine the number of the locations for the occurrence ofa trigger symbol by one of: i. by rules of game play, ii. variableaccording to bets placed, iii. variable due to a game outcome.
 15. Agame controller as claimed in claim 1 1, arranged to make an award basedon one of: i. a change to an advertised award value ii. an additionalaward prize iii. a feature game
 16. A game controller as claimed inclaim 11, arranged to: on the occurrence of a trigger symbol at alocation, highlight that particular location for the subsequent game.17. A game controller as claimed in claim 16, arranged to: trigger afeature game if during play of a subsequent game the trigger symbolshould occur at the same particular location as in the initial game. 18.A game controller as claimed in claim 11, arranged to: configure thegame and subsequent game to be multiple spinning reel type games.
 19. Agame controller as claimed in claim 18, arranged to: configure themultiple spinning reel type games to have multiple win lines.
 20. A gamecontroller as claimed in claim 11, arranged to configure the subsequentgame as a feature game.
 21. A game controller as claimed in claim 11implemented by a processor executing program code stored in a memory.22. A gaming system comprising: a player interface comprising a displayfor displaying game outcomes to a player, and a game controller arrangedaccording to any one of claims 11 to
 20. 23. A computer readable mediumcomprising computer program code which when executed by a process in acomputer implements a method of gaming, said method comprising:providing a plurality of symbols for game play, providing locations fromwhich game outcomes can be determined by symbols occurring at locations,allocating at least one symbol as a trigger symbol, and on theoccurrence of the trigger symbol in an initial game making an award in asubsequent game if there is a game outcome in the subsequent game thatincludes a particular location where there has been the occurrence ofthe trigger symbol.